New York state, New Jersey probe FIFA World Cup ticketing practices

The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey said Wednesday they have issued a subpoena to FIFA as part of an investigation into the soccer governing body’s ticketing practices ahead of the 2026 World Cup, following media reports and fan complaints about seat allocations and pricing.

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a joint statement that the subpoena seeks detailed information on ticketing procedures for the eight World Cup matches scheduled to be held in New Jersey, including the July 19 final.

The investigation was prompted by allegations from some ticket holders who said they did not receive the seating categories they paid for. According to the attorneys general, certain fans who purchased Category 1 tickets—advertised as the closest seats to the field—were instead assigned seats in lower-priced Category 2 sections further from the pitch.

“New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets,” James said. “No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive.”

The attorneys general also said they are reviewing FIFA’s pricing structure for the 2026 tournament, arguing that ticket prices have significantly exceeded those of previous World Cups. The probe will also examine whether consumers were properly informed about pricing tiers and seat allocations.

“Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated,” Davenport said. “But FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices—all at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans.”

FIFA declined to comment on the subpoena.

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said in a statement that the state welcomes the tournament but emphasized that consumer protection must be upheld.

“New Jersey is excited to host the World Cup and welcome fans from across the globe,” Sherrill said. “But no one should be allowed to exploit New Jersey fans or those coming to our state. I applaud Attorneys General Davenport and James for standing up on behalf of consumers and investigating whether they have been misled.”

Backlash Over Ticket Prices

Ticket pricing for the 2026 World Cup has become a central point of controversy, particularly when compared with earlier projections included in the joint bid submitted by the host nations.

FIFA has introduced dynamic pricing for the first time in a World Cup tournament, allowing ticket prices to fluctuate based on demand, inventory levels, and event popularity. As a result, resale prices on official platforms have surged sharply, drawing criticism from fans and policymakers.

In response to public backlash over high costs, FIFA introduced a limited number of lower-cost tickets priced around $60, typically located in upper stadium sections.

In March, dozens of U.S. lawmakers urged FIFA to reduce ticket prices, arguing that dynamic pricing risks making the tournament inaccessible to average fans and transforming it into an exclusive event for wealthier spectators.

Speaking at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Gianni Infantino said demand for the tournament had reached unprecedented levels, with hundreds of millions of ticket requests already recorded for the expanded 48-team competition.

“We’ve sold 100% of the inventory that we’ve put on the market,” Infantino said, adding that approximately 90% of the global allocation had already been distributed. -Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, Susan Heavey in Washington and David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Additional reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Paul Simao/Reuters